Two thieves have been fined after a spate of lager thefts in Whitwell

Two young thieves have been fined after they repeatedly stole cases of lager during a spate of thefts at a Co-op store.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, January 13, how Thomas Crossan and Liam Milner, both aged 20, struck at the Co-op in Whitwell during a nine-day period.

Prosecuting solicitor Angela Hadfield said: “Crossan committed three thefts at the store and Milner committed two thefts at the store.

“During the first offence on October 14, last year, three males went into the Co-op including Crossan and Milner and the two defendants went to a display and picked a case of lager each and they were challenged by staff.

“Crossan left with the lager and Milner also ran away with lager and the third man also left the store.”

Mrs Hadfield added that Crossan went back into the store on October 16, last year, and stole two more cases of lager and escaped down the side of the Co-op.

The court heard how Crossan and Milner also returned to the store on October 23 when Crossan stole two more cases of lager and Milner stole one case and they again fled the store.

Crossan, of Scotland Street, Whitwell, pleaded guilty to three thefts and Milner, of Rhodes Cottage, Clowne, pleaded guilty to two thefts.

Crossan explained that he had turned to alcohol after suffering a bereavement and Milner apologised for the thefts.

Magistrates fined Crossan and Milner £80 each and ordered them each to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Crossan was also ordered to pay £40 compensation and Milner must pay £16 compensation.